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MSc in Mathematical Sciences (OMMS)

Summary

The Oxford Masters in Mathematical Sciences (OMMS) provides a broad and flexible training in the mathematical sciences, and gives students with a keen interest in the mathematical sciences the chance to study a selection of our interesting and varied master’s level courses. Oxford has a world-class reputation in the Mathematical Sciences, and this Masters offers students the opportunity to join our current fourth year undergraduates and to work with an international group of peers, including other mathematical leaders of the future.

The Masters draws on courses in mathematics, statistics and computer science: from number theory, geometry and algebra to genetics and cryptography; from probability and mathematical geoscience to data mining and machine learning. Students will have the opportunity to choose from many courses, tailoring the programme to their individual interests and requirements.

The course is run jointly by the Mathematical Institute and the Department of Statistics. Both departments have a strong sense of community with a multitude of social opportunities such as societies, open workspaces and networking at departmental lectures and seminars. For example, the Mathematical Institute has two term-time lecture series: Fridays@4, for Masters and DPhil students, and Fridays@2, new for the year 2018-2019 for both undergraduates and Masters students. To facilitate the integration of our students into the department, OMMS students will be buddied with an undergraduate student who will be continuing onto the fourth year (also known as Part C).

Course Structure

The Masters course is a 9 month course running from the start of October through to the end of June. Students will be required to attend at least six units of courses, as well as writing a dissertation worth two units. Those wishing to extend themselves further might wish to take one or two additional units. Of the non-dissertation units, students may take courses from the Mathematical Institute and the Department of Statistics, and up to two units from the Department of Computer Science. Performance on the Masters will be assessed by the dissertation, and depending on course choice, either written examinations or take home mini-projects.

One unit usually corresponds to a lecture course with 16 lectures which is supplemented by classes and problem sheets. Students are encouraged to work collaboratively in the classes to better develop their understanding of the course material.

The Masters offers a substantial opportunity for independent study and research in the form of a dissertation. The dissertation is undertaken under the guidance of a supervisor and will typically involve investigating and writing in a particular area of mathematical sciences, without the requirement (while not excluding the possibility) of obtaining original results. A dissertation gives students the opportunity to develop broader transferable skills in the processes of organising, communicating, and presenting their work, and will equip students well for further research or for a wide variety of other careers.

To get an idea of the subject options that might be offered to OMMS students in future years, the courses available for the 2018-2019 cohort can be found at the following link.

How to apply

The admissions process opens in September of the preceding year. Applications for the MSc should be made via the University's online graduate admissions form which you can find at stage 7 of the application guide. Prospective applicants are encouraged to read the whole graduate application guide before applying.

Students whose native language is not English or whose first language is English but are not nationals of the UK, Ireland or a majority English-speaking country recognised by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency at the higher level or to request an English language test waiver. For more details see the University page about English language proficiency.

Fees and Funding

EU students who begin their studies at the University in 2019/20 will be charged course fees at the home rate for all years of their course.

Further information about Oxford and the EU student can be found here.

Postgraduate Open Day

If you want to come and find out more about the course in person there is a postgraduate open day held each year. More information about the open day can be at the following link.

Additionally, the Mathematical Institute has a Virtual Open Day for its taught masters courses. The video was created for the 2018-2019 intake, but is still informative for prospective students of the course.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about the course or the admissions process, please contact the Course Administrative Assistant at omms@maths.ox.ac.uk.

Please contact us for feedback and comments about this page. Last update on 15 February 2019 - 16:51.